1980's Chanel Purple Plaid Boucle Skirt Suit
View Similar Items
1980's Chanel Purple Plaid Boucle Skirt Suit
About the Item
Chanel
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Gilles Savard 3 pc. Evening Suit with Jewelled JacketLocated in Toronto, OntarioMid 90's fushia chiffon skirt and matching long sleeve shirt with asymmetryical chiffon drapery on the bodice. Moss green and fushia satin floral print jacket with oversewn sequin an...Category
1990s American Skirt Suits
- 1980s Bill Blass Off White Gown and Navy Lace Evening EnsembleBy Bill BlassLocated in Toronto, OntarioAbsolutely stunning 1980s Bill Blass two piece ensemble. The set features a simple and minimal long sleeve, crewneck off white silk gown with a breathtaking navy blue lace long unlined floor length coat. The navy contrasts so beautifully against the off white. The evening coat has a deep v neckline with a collar and a single snap button closure just under the bust. The overcoat has a slight A-line shape, and gently glides over the off white gown...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- 1960's Donald Brooks Purple Linen 3-Piece Skirt SuitBy Donald BrooksLocated in Toronto, OntarioAdorable Donald Brooks purple linen 3-piece skirt suit from the 1960's. The suit is detailed throughout with white piping along the hem, collars, and pockets. The crop-style jacket buttons...Category
1960s American Skirt Suits
- 1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Deep Purple Skirt SuitBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Toronto, Ontario1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Femme deep dusty purple skirt suit. Jacket features an exaggerated rounded edge shirt collar and six large distressed brass...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Fuschia Velvet and Wool Jersey EnsembleBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Toronto, Ontario1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Gibo fuschia velvet and wool jersey jacket/tunic and skirt ensemble. Jacket/tunic is baseball style with inset wool jersey sle...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1960s Roger Frères Blue and White Culotte EnsembleLocated in Toronto, OntarioThe most adorable 1960s Roger Frères cropped culotte jumpsuit and vest ensemble. The jumpsuit features a white crepe blouse with bishop sleeves and high waisted navy wool pants with ...Category
1960s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Issey Miyake Plaid Pleated Skirt & Blouse EnsembleBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Oakland, CATimeless Issey Miyake plaid skirt and blouse set. All over vertical pleating. Deep blue, teal, purples and a bit of turquoise. Blouse is sleeveless with V notch collar. Long stra...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Skirt Suits
- Vivienne Westwood tweed and denim 'time machine' jacket and mini skirt, fw 1988By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood blue tweed and denim 'Time Machine' ensemble comprising: signature 'Armour' Jacket and orb logo micro mini skirt. Fall-Winter 1988Category
1980s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld lilac tweed jacket and maxi skirt suit, fw 1998By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel lilac tweed skirt suit ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Cardigan jacket with dark lilac embroidered lattice trim ▪ 'CC' engraved silver metal cufflink buttons ▪ Maxi skirt wi...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1970S Halston Purple Silk Chiffon Metallic Studded EnsembleBy HalstonLocated in New York, NYAll over subtle fading and some pin holes please note photos for condition. Priced as is. 1970S Halston Purple Silk Chiffon Metallic Studded Ensem...Category
1970s Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1970S Red, White & Blue Polyester Double Knit Tunic Wild Plaid Bell Bottom PantLocated in New York, NY1970S Red, White & Blue Polyester Double Knit Tunic Wild Plaid Bell Bottom Pants Ensemble Gucci StyleCategory
1970s Jumpsuits
- 1970S Blue & Green Nylon Austrian Mod Ski Jacket Pants EnsembleLocated in New York, NY1970S Blue & Green Nylon Austrian Mod Ski Jacket Pants EnsembleCategory
1970s Twin Sets
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
From the Runway to Rihanna, These Chanel Pearl Sunglasses Are the Peak of ’90s Chic
This cheeky accessory is seriously fun.
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.